What the PSL Got Right and Wrong About KONY 2012

[Binh]

What the PSL got right & wrong about KONY 2012

by ClayClai of Occupy LA on March 10, 2012

The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) has come out with an anti-imperialist position about this whole KONY 2012 campaign, which with its first class promotion, I will assume “needs no introduction.”

The PSL position isn’t wrong, as far as it goes. The problem is that it doesn’t go very far. It is over simplistic whereas the real world is much more nuanced. They hear “oil” and they think “That’s it!” and they don’t look much beyond that when there is so much more than that involved.


For the rest, see: http://www.thenorthstar.info/?p=420

[NewLeft]

It's a ploy for Obama, it's for oil, it's for arms trading, it's for strategic endeavors..

[Prometeo liberado]

I hear what your saying. I was at a PSL meeting and discussed this with some of the comrades. We kinda came to the conclusion that many of the PSL statements recently have indeed been a little vapid. I would hate to think that this is the result of a directive from the leadership. I sincerely doubt it. All to often this does a great disservice to the new cadre trying to learn better analysis. When stuff like this comes out you do nothing but arm a cadre without giving them the bullets.

[Yuppie Grinder]

from what i gather it's a scam to sell t shirts

[Prometeo liberado]

from what i gather it's a scam to sell t shirts

They never seem to have my size so I can't buy one. Not a very well run scam if you ask me.:sneaky:

[Grenzer]

The PSL gets a lot wrong. Seems ridiculous to describe them as "anti-imperialist," however, as they are ardent supporters of Soviet and Chinese imperialism. Seems to be part of their Marcyite heritage.

That said, I have no idea what the fuck Kony is.

[Prometeo liberado]

The PSL gets a lot wrong. Seems ridiculous to describe them as "anti-imperialist," however, as they are ardent supporters of Soviet and Chinese imperialism. Seems to be part of their Marcyite heritage.

That said, I have no idea what the fuck Kony is.

If you have no idea "what the fuck Kony is" then how can you judge the PSL's analysis as it pertains to this situation? Truth is you can't. Way to try and derail this thread with very weak tendency baiting. Troll on.

[KurtFF8]

The PSL gets a lot wrong. Seems ridiculous to describe them as "anti-imperialist," however, as they are ardent supporters of Soviet and Chinese imperialism. Seems to be part of their Marcyite heritage.

That said, I have no idea what the fuck Kony is.

And yes, the PSL continues to support Soviet imperialism around the world: the biggest threat besides US imperialism today!

[Ocean Seal]

So I read their article, and I couldn't really understand the criticism.
But anyway I thought that I should post this.
http://disinfo.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Tony2012.jpg

[ComradeJay]

So let me get this straight.

The problem with the PSL's analysis of Kony 2012 is (1) that we oppose US imperialism everywhere and without qualification, and (2) that we think that the interests of the bourgeoisie are more important for workers to understand than some petty bourgeois conspiracy theory about the "October surprise?"

If that's the case, then I plead guilty on both counts.

[Kassad]

The PSL runs a pretty decent printing press and one thing I've always enjoyed about them is that they aren't like other groups that try to shove literature down your throat and refuse to give it to you if you don't have the money. I do with some of their analyses were more in-depth however. I think a theoretical journal would be an incredible addition to their literature.

I just think their articles need more citations. It goes a long way. Regardless, this isn't a situation where the PSL is very far off the mark. If people don't see the hand of imperialism behind many "human rights" issues such as Kony, then they aren't paying attention.

[gorillafuck]

I just think their articles need more citations. It goes a long way.I've noticed that too. they really don't come across as credible, they cite nothing.

[KurtFF8]

I think a theoretical journal would be an incredible addition to their literature.

I agree with this 100%

[Prometeo liberado]

So let me get this straight.

The problem with the PSL's analysis of Kony 2012 is (1) that we oppose US imperialism everywhere and without qualification, and (2) that we think that the interests of the bourgeoisie are more important for workers to understand than some petty bourgeois conspiracy theory about the "October surprise?"

If that's the case, then I plead guilty on both counts.

My problem is that your two points are the sum total of the so called analysis. It panders in the most shallow way. Unfortunately this is becoming the norm. Take a look at the discussion paper put out about on the issue of Chris Hedges. You have to read it a couple times just to find out if they are trying to say anything new at all.

[arilando]

So I read their article, and I couldn't really understand the criticism.
But anyway I thought that I should post this.
http://disinfo.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Tony2012.jpg
That's kinda dumb.

[ComradeJay]

My problem is that your two points are the sum total of the so called analysis.

The original article itself acknowledges that this is a very basic analysis. Here is a paper edited by working class people who are all also very busy with political and organizational tasks. So the article is not a disseratation on Kony2012, it is a timely response to an issue which came out of nowhere, and which is suddenly being widely discussed. What was needed is a basic, first look analysis so that party members, sympathizers, and other workers who read the paper can get some context and understanding of an issue that is new to most of them, and on which we have heard almost nothing but bourgeois lies.

In that sense, I think the article mostly succeedes. Your vague criticique of it seems to be nothing more than griping that we haven't turned our paper into a theoretical journal.


It panders in the most shallow way.

Panders to whom?